The Balkan Wars: 1912-1913 eBook

That the responsibility for precipitating the second
Balkan War rests on Bulgaria is demonstrated in the
latter portion of this volume. Yet the intransigent
and bellicose policy of Bulgaria was from the point
of view of her own interests so short-sighted, so
perilous, so foolish and insane that it seemed, even
at the time, to be directed by some external power
and for some ulterior purpose. No proof, however,
was then available. But hints of that suspicion
were clearly conveyed even in the first edition of
this volume, which, it may be recalled, antedates
the outbreak of the great European War. Thus,
on page 103, the question was put:

“Must we assume that there
is some ground for suspecting that
Austria-Hungary was inciting Bulgaria
to war?”

And again, on page 108, with reference to General
Savoff’s order directing the attack on the Greek
and Servian forces which initiated the second Balkan
War, the inquiry was made:

“Did General Savoff act on his
own responsibility? Or is there any truth
in the charge that King Ferdinand, after a long consultation
with the Austro-Hungarian Minister, instructed the
General to issue the order?”

These questions may now be answered with positive
assurance. What was only surmise when this volume
was written is to-day indubitable certainty.
The proof is furnished by the highest authorities both
Italian and Russian.

When the second Balkan War broke out San Giuliano
was Prime Minister of Italy. And he has recently
published the fact that at that time—­the
summer of 1913—­the Austro-Hungarian government
communicated to the Italian government its intention
of making war on Servia and claimed under the terms
of the Triple Alliance the co-operation of Italy and
Germany. The Italian government repudiated the
obligation imputed to it by Austria-Hungary and flatly
declared that the Triple Alliance had nothing to do
with a war of aggression. That Austria-Hungary
did not proceed to declare war against Servia at that
time—­perhaps because she was discouraged
by Germany as well as by Italy—­makes it
all the more intelligible, in view of her bellicose
attitude, that she should have been urgent and insistent
in pushing Bulgaria forward to smite their common rival.

This conclusion is confirmed by the positive statement
of the Russian government. The communication
accompanying the declaration of war against Bulgaria,
dated October 18, contains the following passage:

“The victorious war of the united
Balkan people against their ancient enemy, Turkey,
assured to Bulgaria an honorable place in the Slavic
family. But under Austro-German suggestion, contrary
to the advice of the Russian Emperor and without
the knowledge of the Bulgarian government, the
Coburg Prince on June 29, 1913, moved Bulgarian
armies against the Serbians.”

The “Coburg Prince” is of course Ferdinand,
King of Bulgaria. That he acted under Austro-Hungarian